Integrated access and backhaul timing mode signaling

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a 5th Generation (5G) or 6th Generation (6G) communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate. A method for a first node in a wireless communication system is provided. The method includes receiving, from a second node, a radio resource control (RRC) message including information on a list of slots, receiving, from the second node, a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) indicating at least one timing mode to be applied to at least one slot in the list of slots, and identifying, based on the MAC CE, the at least one timing mode corresponding to the at least one slot.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of a United Kingdom patent application number 2205001.7, filed onApr. 5, 2022, in the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office, and ofa United Kingdom patent application number 2302554.7, filed on Feb. 22,2023, in the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office, the disclosureof each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The disclosure relates to signaling of timing modes between nodes (e.g.,parent and child nodes). More particularly, the disclosure relates to anetwork incorporating integrated access and backhaul (IAB), for examplewithin 3^(rd) generation partnership project (3GPP) 5^(th) generation(5G) new radio (NR) and (at least in part) NR-based relay networks.

2. Description of Related Art

5G mobile communication technologies define broad frequency bands suchthat high transmission rates and new services are possible, and can beimplemented not only in “Sub 6 gigahertz (GHz)” bands, such as 3.5 GHz,but also in “Above 6 GHz” bands referred to as millimeter wave (mmWave)including 28 GHz and 39 GHz. In addition, it has been considered toimplement 6th Generation (6G) mobile communication technologies(referred to as Beyond 5G systems) in terahertz (THz) bands (forexample, 95 GHz to 3 THz bands) in order to accomplish transmissionrates fifty times faster than 5G mobile communication technologies andultra-low latencies one-tenth of 5G mobile communication technologies.

At the beginning of the development of 5G mobile communicationtechnologies, in order to support services and to satisfy performancerequirements in connection with enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultrareliable low latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine-typecommunications (mMTC), there has been ongoing standardization regardingbeamforming and massive multiple input-multiple output (MIMO) formitigating radio-wave path loss and increasing radio-wave transmissiondistances in mm Wave, supporting numerologies (for example, operatingmultiple subcarrier spacings) for efficiently utilizing mmWave resourcesand dynamic operation of slot formats, initial access technologies forsupporting multi-beam transmission and broadbands, definition andoperation of bandwidth part (BWP), new channel coding methods, such as alow density parity check (LDPC) code for large amount of datatransmission and a polar code for highly reliable transmission ofcontrol information, L2 pre-processing, and network slicing forproviding a dedicated network specialized to a specific service.

Currently, there are ongoing discussions regarding improvement andperformance enhancement of initial 5G mobile communication technologiesin view of services to be supported by 5G mobile communicationtechnologies, and there has been physical layer standardizationregarding technologies, such as vehicle-to-everything (V2X) for aidingdriving determination by autonomous vehicles based on informationregarding positions and states of vehicles transmitted by the vehiclesand for enhancing user convenience, new radio unlicensed (NR-U) aimed atsystem operations conforming to various regulation-related requirementsin unlicensed bands, new radio (NR) user equipment (UE) power saving,non-terrestrial network (NTN) which is UE-satellite direct communicationfor providing coverage in an area in which communication withterrestrial networks is unavailable, and positioning.

Moreover, there has been ongoing standardization in air interfacearchitecture/protocol regarding technologies, such as industrialInternet of things (IIoT) for supporting new services throughinterworking and convergence with other industries, integrated accessand backhaul (IAB) for providing a node for network service areaexpansion by supporting a wireless backhaul link and an access link inan integrated manner, mobility enhancement including conditionalhandover and dual active protocol stack (DAPS) handover, and two-steprandom access for simplifying random access procedures (2-step randomaccess channel (RACH) for NR). There also has been ongoingstandardization in system architecture/service regarding a 5G baselinearchitecture (for example, service based architecture or service basedinterface) for combining network functions virtualization (NFV) andsoftware-defined networking (SDN) technologies, and mobile edgecomputing (MEC) for receiving services based on UE positions.

As 5G mobile communication systems are commercialized, connected devicesthat have been exponentially increasing will be connected tocommunication networks, and it is accordingly expected that enhancedfunctions and performances of 5G mobile communication systems andintegrated operations of connected devices will be necessary. To thisend, new research is scheduled in connection with extended reality (XR)for efficiently supporting augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR),mixed reality (MR) and the like, 5G performance improvement andcomplexity reduction by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) andmachine learning (ML), AI service support, metaverse service support,and drone communication.

Furthermore, such development of 5G mobile communication systems willserve as a basis for developing not only new waveforms for providingcoverage in terahertz bands of 6G mobile communication technologies,multi-antenna transmission technologies, such as full dimensional MIMO(FD-MIMO), array antennas and large-scale antennas, metamaterial-basedlenses and antennas for improving coverage of terahertz band signals,high-dimensional space multiplexing technology using orbital angularmomentum (OAM), and reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), but alsofull-duplex technology for increasing frequency efficiency of 6G mobilecommunication technologies and improving system networks, AI-basedcommunication technology for implementing system optimization byutilizing satellites and artificial intelligence (AI) from the designstage and internalizing end-to-end AI support functions, andnext-generation distributed computing technology for implementingservices at levels of complexity exceeding the limit of UE operationcapability by utilizing ultra-high-performance communication andcomputing resources.

In 3^(rd) generation partnership project (3GPP) 5^(th) generation (5G)new radio (NR), integrated access and backhaul (IAB) is a technique forproviding wireless backhaul as an alternative to a fiber backhaulnetwork. An IAB network comprises IAB nodes, at which wireless resourcesare shared between wireless backhaul and access links. Due to thelimited coverage area of an IAB node, the backhaul network is typicallyimplemented as a multi-hop network with backhaul traffic traversingmultiple IAB nodes.

3GPP 5G Release 16 has been frozen and work on finalizing Release 17 iscurrently underway. An aim of Release 17 is to develop and improvefeatures relating to IAB relative to the Release 16 baseline.

FIG. 1 shows a two-hop IAB network as described in 3GPP NR Rel-16 andfurther enhanced in Rel-17 according to the related art.

As described in 3GPP technical specification (TS) 38.213 v17.0.0, for aserving cell of an IAB-mobile termination (MT), the IAB-MT can beprovided by its parent IAB-distributed unit (DU) with a timing caseindication an indication of the IAB-MT transmission timing mode in aslot. If the indicated IAB-MT transmission timing mode in a slot is setto Case-1, the IAB-MT transmission time is determined as for a “regular”UE. If the indicated IAB-MT transmission timing mode in a slot is set toCase-6, the IAB-node sets the IAB-MT transmission time to thetransmission time of the IAB-DU. If the indicated IAB-MT transmissiontiming mode in a slot is set to Case-7, the IAB-MT is provided a timingadvance offset value for a serving cell.

The following is the description of the timing case indication agreed byRAN1 at their RAN1#108-e meeting (February 2022):

The parent-node indicates to an IAB-node a list of slots and theirassociated uplink (UL) transmit (TX) timing cases (i.e., one of {Case 1,Case 6, Case 7} for each slot).

The value range as agreed and communicated by RAN1 is as follows:

{Case 1, Case 6, Case 7} per slot, for a number of slots. The list ofslots can have the following ranges for periodicity: {16, 20, 32, 40,64, 80, 160, 320, 640, 1280, 2560, 5120} slots.

Design and implementation of signaling to achieve this is still underdiscussion.

The above information is presented as background information only toassist with an understanding of the disclosure. No determination hasbeen made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the abovemight be applicable as prior art with respect to the disclosure.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure are to address at least the above-mentionedproblems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed below. Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to providea 5^(th) generation (5G) or 6^(th) generation (6G) communication systemfor supporting a higher data transmission rate.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may belearned by practice of the presented embodiments.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a first node in awireless communication system is provided. The first node includes atransceiver, and at least one processor coupled to the transceiver andconfigured to receive, from a second node, an RRC message includinginformation on a list of slots, receive, from the second node, a MAC CEindicating at least one timing mode to be applied to at least one slotin the list of slots, and identify, based on the MAC CE, the at leastone timing mode corresponding to the at least one slot.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a second node in awireless communication system is provided. The second node includes atransceiver, and at least one processor coupled to the transceiver andconfigured to transmit, to a first node, an RRC message includinginformation on a list of slots, and transmit, to the first node, a MACCE indicating at least one timing mode to be applied to at least oneslot in the list of slots, wherein the at least one timing modecorresponding to the at least one slot is identified based on the MACCE.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method for afirst network entity in a network is provided. The method includesreceiving first signaling including, for one or more slots, informationassociated with transmission, and performing an operation relating totransmission based on the information associated with transmission,wherein the one or more slots are indicated in second signaling betweenthe first network entity and a second network entity in the network, andwherein the second signaling and the first signaling are signaledthrough a combination of radio resource control (RRC) signaling andmedium access channel (MAC) control element (CE) signaling.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of thefirst example, wherein the second signaling is provided. The methodincludes a slot index for each of the one or more slots, and/or whereinthe one or more slots are not consecutive.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of thefirst example or the second example, is provided. The method furtherincludes receiving, from the second network entity, the second signalingindicating the one or more slots.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of thethird example, wherein the information associated with transmission isprovided. The method includes at least one timing mode, a downlink (DL)transmit (TX) power adjustment value, or information on restricted beamindication for integrated access and backhaul (IAB)-distributed unit(DU).

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of thefourth example, wherein performing the operation is provided. The methodincludes applying, for at least one of the one or more slots, a timingmode, among the at least one timing mode, applying the DL TX poweradjustment value for a transmission in at least one of the one of moreslots, or applying the information on restricted beam indication forIAB-DU for a transmission in at least one of the one or more slots.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of thefourth example or the fifth example, wherein each of the at least onetiming mode is indicated, in the first signaling, by two bits, and/orwherein each of the at least one timing mode is one of Case-1, Case-7 orCase-7 is provided.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of any ofthe fourth to sixth examples, wherein the second signaling is provided.The method further includes an indication of a periodicity with which amapping between the at least one timing mode and at least one of the oneor more slots is repeated.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of theseventh example, wherein the indication of the periodicity is longerthan the one or more slots is provided.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of thefirst example or the second example, is provided. The method furtherincludes transmitting, to the second network entity, the secondsignaling indicating the one or more slots.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of theninth example, wherein the information associated with transmission isprovided. The method includes a desired downlink (DL) transmit (TX)power adjustment value for each of the one or more slots, information onrestricted beam indication for integrated access and backhaul(IAB)-mobile termination (MT), or a desired IAB-MT power spectraldensity range.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of thetenth example, wherein performing the operation is provided. The methodincludes using the desired DL TX power adjustment value in a resourceallocation procedure applicable to a transmission operation of thesecond network entity for at least one of the one of more slots, andtransmitting a DL TX power adjustment value to the second network entitybased on the resource allocation procedure, using the information onrecommended restricted beam indication for IAB-MT in a resourceallocation procedure applicable to a transmission operation of thesecond network entity for at least one of the one of more slots, andtransmitting a restricted beam indication to the second network entitybased on the resource allocation procedure, or using the desired IAB-MTpower spectral density range in a power control procedure for the secondnetwork entity for at least one of the one or more slots. In variousexamples, the resource allocation procedure is the operation relating totransmission. In various examples, the power allocation procedure is theoperation relating to transmission.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of anyprevious example, wherein the first signaling is provided. The methodfurther includes an indication of the one or more slots to which theinformation associated with transmission applies.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of anyprevious example, wherein the first signaling is received through MAC CEsignaling and the second signaling is received through RRC signaling isprovided.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method for asecond network entity in a network is provided. The method includestransmitting, to a first network entity, first signaling including, forone or more slots, information associated with transmission, wherein theone or more slots are indicated in second signaling between the firstnetwork entity and the second network entity, and wherein the secondsignaling and the first signaling are signaled through a combination ofRRC, signaling and MAC, CE, signaling.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of thefourteenth example is provided. The method further includes transmittingthe second signaling indicating the one or more slots to the firstnetwork entity.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of thefifteenth example, wherein the information associated with transmissionis provided. The method includes at least one timing mode, a downlink(DL) transmit (TX) power adjustment value, or information on restrictedbeam indication for integrated access and backhaul (IAB)-distributedunit (DU).

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of thefifteenth example or the sixteenth example, wherein each of the at leastone timing mode is indicated, in the first signaling, by two bits,and/or wherein each of the at least one timing mode is one of Case-1,Case-7 or Case-7 is provided.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of thesixteenth example or the seventeenth example, wherein the secondsignaling is provided. The method further includes an indication of aperiodicity with which a mapping between the at least one timing modeand at least one of the one or more slots is repeated.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of theeighteenth example, wherein the indication of the periodicity is longerthan the one or more slots is provided.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of thefourteenth example is provided. The method further includes receivingthe second signaling indicating the one or more slots from the firstnetwork entity.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of thetwentieth example, wherein the information associated with transmissionis provided. The method includes a desired downlink (DL) transmit (TX)power adjustment value for each of the one or more slots, information onrestricted beam indication for integrated access and backhaul(IAB)-mobile termination (MT), or a desired IAB-MT power spectraldensity range.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of the anyof the fourteenth to twenty-first examples, wherein the second signalingis provided. The method includes a slot index for each of the one ormore slots, and/or wherein the one or more slots are not consecutive.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of anyprevious example, wherein at least one of the network is a 5G NRnetwork, the first network entity is one of an integrated access andbackhaul (IAB) child node or an IAB parent node, and the second networkentity is the other one of the IAB child node or the IAB parent node isprovided.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a network entityconfigured to operate according to the method of any of the first totwenty-third examples is provided.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a computer programis provided. The computer program includes instructions which, when theprogram is executed by a computer or processor, cause the computer orprocessor to carry out a method according to any of the first totwenty-third examples.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the disclosure willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings,discloses various embodiments of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certainembodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates an architecture for multi-hop backhauling (source3^(rd) generation partnership project (3GPP) technical report (TR)38.874) according to the related art;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a network entity that may be used accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a method flow according to an embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram illustrating a structure of a userequipment (UE) according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram illustrating a structure of a networkentity according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbersare used to depict the same or similar elements, features, andstructures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings isprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of variousembodiments of the disclosure as defined by the claims and theirequivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in thatunderstanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatvarious changes and modifications of the various embodiments describedherein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of thedisclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions andconstructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are notlimited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by theinventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of thedisclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in theart that the following description of various embodiments of thedisclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for thepurpose of limiting the disclosure as defined by the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the”include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes referenceto one or more of such surfaces.

The following examples are applicable to, and use terminology associatedwith, 3^(rd) generation partnership project (3GPP) 5^(th) generation(5G). However, the skilled person will appreciate that the techniquesdisclosed herein are not limited to these examples or to 3GPP 5G, andmay be applied in any suitable system or standard, for example one ormore existing and/or future generation wireless communication systems orstandards. The skilled person will appreciate that the techniquesdisclosed herein may be applied in any existing or future releases of3GPP 5G new radio (NR) or any other relevant standard.

For example, the functionality of the various network entities and otherfeatures disclosed herein may be applied to corresponding or equivalententities or features in other communication systems or standards.Corresponding or equivalent entities or features may be regarded asentities or features that perform the same or similar role, function,operation or purpose within the network. For example, the functionalityof an IAB node in the examples below may be applied to any othersuitable type of entity performing functions of a network node.

The skilled person will appreciate that certain examples of thedisclosure may not be directly related to standardization but ratherproprietary implementation of some of the integrated access and backhaul(IAB) functions or non-IAB related functions of NR Rel-17 and beyondnetworks.

The skilled person will appreciate that the disclosure is not limited tothe specific examples disclosed herein. For example:

The techniques disclosed herein are not limited to 3GPP 5G.

The techniques disclosed herein are not limited to IAB or relaynetworks.

One or more entities in the examples disclosed herein may be replacedwith one or more alternative entities performing equivalent orcorresponding functions, processes or operations.

One or more of the messages in the examples disclosed herein may bereplaced with one or more alternative messages, signals or other type ofinformation carriers that communicate equivalent or correspondinginformation.

One or more further elements, entities and/or messages may be added tothe examples disclosed herein.

One or more non-essential elements, entities and/or messages may beomitted in certain examples.

The functions, processes or operations of a particular entity in oneexample may be divided between two or more separate entities in analternative example.

The functions, processes or operations of two or more separate entitiesin one example may be performed by a single entity in an alternativeexample.

Information carried by a particular message in one example may becarried by two or more separate messages in an alternative example.

Information carried by two or more separate messages in one example maybe carried by a single message in an alternative example.

The order in which operations are performed may be modified, ifpossible, in alternative examples.

The transmission of information between network entities is not limitedto the specific form, type and/or order of messages described inrelation to the examples disclosed herein.

To satisfy extremely high data rate requirements, the 3GPP 5G NRstandard utilizes communication frequencies in a relatively high range,from 30 GHz to 300 GHz, corresponding to wavelengths in the millimeter(mm) range (mmWave communication). Such mmWave communication provides alarge available bandwidth and high transmission speeds. However,problems with mmWave communication include severe signal path loss andlow penetration, resulting in a relatively short transmission range.This in turn requires a greater density of base stations deployment.

Due to the relatively high cost and other difficulties associated withdeployment of fiber transport network links, wireless backhauling can beused as an alternative. IAB, in which a part of the radio resources isused for backhauling, is standardized in 3GPP Rel-16.

According to 3GPP TR 38.874, the backhaul architecture supportsmulti-hop backhauling in which backhaul traffic is wirelessly relayed bynetwork nodes via one or more hops with some hops using mmWavecommunication in certain deployments. Multi-hop backhauling providesmore range extension than single hop. This is especially beneficial forabove-6GHz frequencies due to their limited range. Multi-hop backhaulingfurther enables backhauling around obstacles, e.g., buildings in urbanenvironment for in-clutter deployments.

In addition, according to TR 38.874, IAB reuses existing functions andinterfaces defined for access. More particularly, mobile-termination(MT), g Node B (gNB)-DU, gNB-central unit (CU), UPF, access and mobilitymanagement function (AMF) and session management function (SMF) as wellas the corresponding interfaces NR Uu (between MT and gNB), F1, NG, X2and N4 are used as baseline for the IAB architectures.

The MT function has been defined as a component of the mobile equipment,and is referred to as a function residing on an IAB-node that terminatesthe radio interface layers of the backhaul Uu interface toward theIAB-donor or other IAB-nodes.

FIG. 1 illustrates an architecture for multi-hop backhauling defined inTR 38.874, showing the reference diagram for a two-hop chain ofIAB-nodes underneath an IAB-donor, where IAB-node and UE connect instand-alone (SA)-mode to a next generation core (NGC) according to therelated art.

An IAB-node may be defined as a radio access network (RAN) node thatsupports wireless access to UEs and wirelessly backhauls the accesstraffic. An IAB-donor may be defined as a RAN node which provides UE’sinterface to core network and wireless backhauling functionality toIAB-nodes.

The architecture of FIG. 1 leverages CU/DU-split architecture. That is,the IAB donor node comprises a central unit (CU) and one or moredistributed units (DUs), with an interface called F1 between them. Thefunctionality of the IAB donor is divided between the CU (hosting radioresource control (RRC), service data adaption protocol (SDAP) and packetdata conversion protocol (PDCP), and which terminates the F1 interfaceconnected with the DU) and DU (hosting radio link control (RLC), mediumaccess control (MAC) and physical (PHY) layers, and which terminates theF1 interface with the CU) logical nodes. The internal structure (CU/DU)of the IAB donor is not visible to other nodes and the 5G core network(5GC). See 3GPP TS 38.401.

In the architecture of FIG. 1 , each IAB-node holds a DU and an MT. Viathe MT, the IAB-node connects to an upstream IAB-node or the IAB-donor.Via the DU, the IAB-node establishes RLC-channels to UEs and to MTs ofdownstream IAB-nodes. For MTs, this RLC-channel may refer to a modifiedRLC*. An IAB-node can connect to more than one upstream IAB-node orIAB-donor DU. The IAB-node may contain multiple DUs, but each DU part ofthe IAB-node has F1-C connection only with one IAB-donor CU-CP.

The donor also holds a DU to support UEs and MTs of downstreamIAB-nodes. The IAB-donor holds a CU for the DUs of all IAB-nodes and forits own DU. It is assumed that the DUs on an IAB-node are served by onlyone IAB-donor. This IAB-donor may change through topology adaptation.Each DU on an IAB-node connects to the CU in the IAB-donor using amodified form of F1, which is referred to as F1 *. F1 *-U runs over RLCchannels on the wireless backhaul between the MT on the serving IAB-nodeand the DU on the donor. An adaptation layer is added — named backhauladaptation layer (BAP) - which performs bearer mapping and routing. Itreplaces the IP functionality of the standard F1-stack. F1*-U may carrya GTP-U header for the end-to-end association between CU and DU.

The Uu interface represents the interface between the UE and the DU inan IAB node. The F1 * interface represents the interface between the IABDU and an upstream CU.

Various examples of the disclosure provide techniques for signaling oftiming modes between the parent IAB node and the child IAB node. Moreparticularly, certain examples may provide techniques defining a mappingbetween a list of slots and timing modes. Certain examples may providedifferent solutions for the signaling of this mapping, and for thedesign of mapping itself. The skilled person will appreciate that theapplication of the signaling techniques described herein is not limitedto IAB or the specific information described in the specific examples.

In certain examples, it is assumed that the slots to which the signaledinformation applies need not be consecutive. In this case, certainexamples may signal the slot indices to which the indicated timing modesapply. For example, the mapping may be defined by N pairs of (K₁ bits,K₂ bits), where K₁ indicates a slot index and K₂ indicates one of timingmodes. As an example, N pairs of (13 bits, 2 bits) fields may besignaled, covering N≥1 slots (not necessarily consecutive). The 13-bitfield is used to indicate the index of the slot to which the timing mode(indicated in the 2-bit field) applies. The lengths of these individualfields may vary, for example if the number of timing modes exceeds 4, orif a different indication of the time instant (to which the timing modeapplies) other than the slot index, for example as defined in TS 38.213and/or TS 38.473, is used.

In cases where slots are not consecutive, certain examples may specifywhich timing modes apply to the slots not covered by the N indicatedslots. In certain examples, it is assumed that a default case (or e.g.,RRC-signaled case) applies to all such slots, e.g., Case-1.

In certain examples, N pairs of (13 bits, 1 bit) fields are signaled,covering N slots (not necessarily consecutive), and M pairs of (13 bits,1 bit) fields are also signaled, covering N slots (not necessarilyconsecutive) and M slots (not necessarily consecutive), respectively.The 13-bit field is used to indicate the index of the slot to which thetiming mode (indicated in the 1-bit field) applies. It is furtherassumed that in slots not explicitly indicated a third timing modeapplies (e.g., only signal N slots to which Case-6 applies, and M slotsto which Case-7 mode applies, and the receiving node may infer thatCase-1 mode will apply to any and all slots not explicitly indicated,within the range of the earliest indicated slot to the latest indicatedslot). The skilled person will appreciate that the numerical values(e.g., 13 and 1) are merely exemplary.

In certain examples, the timing mode may stay the same during the M_(i)consecutive slots, starting from the i-^(th) signaled slot index. Forexample, the following may be signaled:

Slot index i, number M_(i) representing number of consecutive slots, and2-bit field indicating the timing mode applicable to the M_(i)consecutive slots.

This is then repeated, and the total number of slots covered is Σ M_(i)= N. The slots may be consecutive within batches (e.g., each of lengthM_(i)), while the end slot of one batch and the beginning slot of thenext batch may or may not be consecutive. If the latter holds, thereceiving node may infer that a pre-defined (or e.g., RRC configured)timing mode (e.g., Case-1 mode) will apply to any and all slots notexplicitly indicated.

In certain examples, it is assumed that the slots to which the signaledinformation applies are consecutive. In this case, certain examples maysignal the starting slot index (from which the indicated timing modesapply). This may then be followed by N 2-bit fields, each indicating thetiming mode that applies to the relevant time slot.

In certain examples, it is assumed that the slots to which the signaledinformation applies are consecutive, and that the same timing modeapplies to all of them. In this case, certain examples may signal thestarting slot index (from which the indicated timing modes apply),followed by a single 2-bit value indicating the timing mode whichapplies to all the N time slots.

Certain examples may signal the value N.

In certain examples, no signaling of the starting slot index is assumed.The starting slot index may instead be inferred by the receiving node,e.g., assumed to be to the first upcoming slot with system frame number(SFN) = 0, or assumed to be the slot which is P slots in the future(where P can be pre-configured or e.g., RRC signaled).

In certain examples (e.g., the above examples) it is assumed that thesignaling is done via a MAC control element (CE). However, in variousexamples the signaling may be done via RRC signaling instead, or througha combination of both RRC signaling and MAC CE. The following areexamples of how the latter option may be done:

A block of slots may be configured via RRC to which a specificpre-determined or signaled timing mode (e.g., Case-1) applies, and thenMAC CE signaling may be used according to one or more of the examplesabove to indicate to which of those slots other timing modes (e.g.,Case-6 or Case-7 timing mode) should apply (i.e., MAC CE overrides thesemi-static RRC configuration).

The periodicity with which the timing mode mapping is repeated may beconfigured via RRC, while the mapping may be signaled via MAC CE(s),according to one or more of the examples above.

A set of slots may be configured via RRC which are to be used asstarting slots, and the timing mode mapping may be configured via MAC CEaccording to one or more of the examples above and assumed by the nodeto apply from one of the starting slots signaled by the RRC (e.g., thefirst such slot following reception of the MAC CE, the N^(th) such slot,the N^(th) such slot following reception of the MAC CE for which SFN = 0applies, or the like).

The full configuration (timing mode mapping to slots, plus optionallyperiodicity) may be done via RRC, according to one or more of theexamples above, and it may be activated via a MAC CE (i.e., applied uponreception of a pre-defined MAC CE e.g., containing an activation bit)(and possibly also deactivated, or it is deactivated after a certainpre-defined or signaled number of repetitions, or the expiry of atimer).

The full configuration (timing mode mapping to slots, plus optionallyperiodicity) may be done via MAC CE(s), according to one or more of theexamples above, and it may be activated via RRC (and possibly alsodeactivated, or it is deactivated after a certain pre-defined orsignaled number of repetitions, or the expiry of a timer).

The periodicity may be equal to the length of the list of slots (i.e.,all slots to which the mapping applies, regardless of whether each slotindex is explicitly signaled), or not equal. For example, periodicitymay be longer that the list of slots, and the assumption may be that adefault timing mode (e.g., Case-1) is applied between two repetitions ofthe mapping.

In certain examples, the indication of timing modes and its mapping to atime axis (e.g., slots) is assumed. In certain examples, instead of (orin addition to) the indication of timing modes, an indication of one ormore of the following information may be provided, and optionally mappedto a time axis (e.g., slots) as in one or more of the examples above:

Information on restricted beam indication for IAB-DU sent from theparent-node to child node: signaling from an IAB-node/IAB-donor to achild node indicating beams of the child IAB-DU in the direction ofwhich simultaneous operation is restricted, information identifying saidchild IAB-DU restricted beams including (but not limited to)synchronization signal block (SSB) identification (ID) (and additionallySSB transmission configuration (STC) index, if needed) and/or channelstate information reference signal (CSI-RS) ID.

Information on restricted beam indication for IAB-MT sent from an IABnode to the parent node signaling from an IAB-node to its parent-nodeindicating the recommended beams of the IAB-MT for DL receive (RX) beamsand/or UL TX beams, information identifying said beams including (butnot limited to) DL transmission configuration indication (TCI) state IDand RS ID (SSB ID and/or CSI-RS ID) for DL RX beam(s) indication, andSRI for UL TX beam(s) indication.

Desired DL TX power adjustment values sent from the IAB node to theparent-node, including (but not limited to) the information sent by theIAB-MT indicating to its parent-node, its desired DL TX power adjustmentto assist with the parent-node’s DL TX power allocation.

DL TX power adjustment values from the parent-node to the IAB node,including (but not limited to) information sent by the parent-nodeindicating to the IAB-node an adjustment to the parent-node’s DL TXpower (e.g., in response to receiving Desired DL TX Power Adjustmentfrom the IAB-node).

Desired IAB-MT power spectral density (PSD) range sent from the IAB nodeto the parent-node, including (but not limited to) information sent bythe IAB-node indicating to its parent-node, its desired PSD range tohelp with its MT’s UL TX power control.

Certain examples of the disclosure provide a first network entity (e.g.,an IAB-DU, an IAB-Donor-DU or an IAB-MT) configured to operate accordingto a method according to any example, embodiment of the disclosure,aspect and/or claim disclosed herein.

Certain examples of the disclosure provide a second network entity(e.g., an IAB-DU, an IAB-Donor-DU or an IAB-MT) configured to cooperatewith a first network entity of the preceding example according to anyexample, embodiment of the disclosure, aspect and/or claim disclosedherein.

Certain examples of the disclosure provide a network (e.g., IAB network)or wireless communication system comprising a first network entity and asecond network entity according to any example, embodiment of thedisclosure, aspect and/or claim disclosed herein.

Certain examples of the disclosure provide a computer program comprisinginstructions which, when the program is executed by a computer orprocessor, cause the computer or processor to carry out a methodaccording to any example, embodiment of the disclosure, aspect and/orclaim disclosed herein.

Certain examples of the disclosure provide a computer orprocessor-readable data carrier having stored thereon a computer programaccording to the preceding examples.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a network entity (e.g., IAB Node or IABDonor) that may be used according to an embodiment of the disclosure.The skilled person will appreciate that the network entity illustratedin FIG. 2 may be implemented, for example, as a network element on adedicated hardware, as a software instance running on a dedicatedhardware, or as a virtualized function instantiated on an appropriateplatform, e.g., on a cloud infrastructure.

An entity 200 comprises a processor (or controller) 201, a transmitter203 and a receiver 205. The receiver 205 is configured for receiving oneor more messages from one or more other network entities. Thetransmitter 203 is configured for transmitting one or more messages toone or more other network entities. The processor 201 is configured forperforming operations as described above.

FIG. 3 shows a method flow according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Operation 310 is optionally performed. In various examples, operation310 may be performed when a first network entity is a downstream IABnode, a child IAB node, or IAB-MT of a downstream/child IAB node. Inoperation 310, a first network entity may receive second signalingindicating one or more slots from a second network entity (e.g., ifoperation 310 is performed this may be an upstream IAB node, a parentIAB node, an IAB-donor or IAB-DU of an upstream/parent node). Forexample, the second signaling may include or otherwise indicate a slotindex for one or more slots. Optionally, the second signaling mayinclude information on periodicity with which the timing mode mappingfor the slots is repeated, and in certain examples the periodicity islonger than the list of slots (e.g., the values of entries in a list ofslots included in the second signaling may be less than the value of theperiodicity, or the number of entries in a list of slots included in thesecond signaling may be smaller than the value of the periodicity).

In operation 320, the first network entity may receive first signalingcomprising information associated with transmission (or configurationinformation, or mapping information, or, more generally, information).The second signaling may be received from a/the second network entity.The information associated with transmission may include information foreach of the one or more slots, or information for one or some (e.g., asubset) of the one or more slots.

For example, the first signaling may indicate a timing mode, e.g., usingtwo bits, the first signaling may indicate a desired DL TX poweradjustment value(s), and/or the first signaling may include informationon restricted beam indication for IAB-DU (e.g., if the first networkentity is a downstream IAB node, a child IAB node, or IAB-MT, and/or ifthe second network entity is an upstream IAB node, a parent IAB node, anIAB-donor or IAB-DU).

For example, two bits may be used in the first signaling to indicate atiming mode for a corresponding slot. In a further example: a value of‘00’ may be used to indicate a timing mode is Case-1, a value of ‘01’may be used to indicate a timing mode is Case-6, and a value of ‘10’ maybe used to indicate a timing mode is Case-7.

In other examples, the first signaling may indicate a DL TX poweradjustment value(s), information on restricted beam indication forIAB-MT, and/or information on a desired IAB-MT power spectral densityrange (e.g., if the first network entity is an upstream IAB node, aparent IAB node, an IAB-donor or IAB-DU, and/or if the second networkentity is a downstream IAB node, a child IAB node, or IAB-MT).

In operation 330, the first network entity may perform an operation(e.g., an operation relating to transmission) based on the informationassociated with transmission. For example, the operation may relate tothe one or more slots, or at least a portion thereof. For example, thefirst network entity may apply the information associated withtransmission to each of the one or more slots. For example, the firstnetwork entity may configure a slot based on the information in thefirst signaling for that slot, configure a transmission in a slot basedon the information in the first signaling for that slot, apply theinformation in the first signaling to a corresponding slot, make adetermination relating to a transmission in a slot based on theinformation in the first signaling for that slot, or use the informationin processing relating to the slot etc.

For example, for the case of the information comprising at least onetiming mode each mapped to a slot indicated in the second signaling, thefirst network entity (e.g., a downstream IAB node, a child IAB node, orIAB-MT) may apply the corresponding timing mode to each slot accordingto.

In another example, for the case of the information comprising a DL TXpower adjustment value, the first network entity (e.g., a downstream IABnode, a child IAB node, or IAB-MT) may configure a slot, or atransmission in the slot, based on the DL TX power adjustment value.

In another example, for the case of the information comprisinginformation on restricted beam indication for IAB-DU, the first networkentity (e.g., a downstream IAB node, a child IAB node, or IAB-MT) mayapply the information on restricted beam indication for IAB-DU for atransmission in at least one of the one or more slots.

In another example, for the case of the information comprising a desiredDL TX power adjustment value, the first network entity (e.g., anupstream IAB node, a parent IAB node, a IAB-donor or IAB-DU) may use theinformation in power allocation (e.g., determining power allocationrelating to a corresponding slot), and, optionally, may transmitinformation (e.g., a DL TX power adjustment value) to the second networkentity based on the result of the power allocation. For instance, thefirst network entity may use the desired DL TX power adjustment value ina resource allocation procedure applicable to a transmission operationof the second network entity for at least one of the one of more slots,and, optionally, transmit a DL TX power adjustment value to the secondnetwork entity based on the resource allocation procedure. Here, anexample of a resource allocation procedure may be a power allocationprocedure. Here, the “operation relating to transmission” refers to thefirst network entity performing an operation which will influence atransmission by the second network entity, such as performing a powerallocation procedure which may influence or affect transmission(s) bythe second network entity.

In another example, for the case of the information comprisinginformation on restricted beam indication for IAB-MT, the first networkentity (e.g., an upstream IAB node, a parent IAB node, a IAB-donor orIAB-DU) may use the information on recommended restricted beamindication for IAB-MT in a resource allocation procedure applicable to atransmission operation of the second network entity for at least one ofthe one of more slots, and, optionally, transmit a restricted beamindication to the second network entity based on the resource allocationprocedure. Here, an example of a resource allocation procedure may be apower allocation procedure.

In another example, for the case of the information comprising a desiredIAB-MT power spectral density range, the first network entity (e.g., anupstream IAB node, a parent IAB node, a IAB-donor or IAB-DU) may use thedesired IAB-MT power spectral density range in a resource controlprocedure for the second network entity for at least one of the one ormore slots. Here, an example of a resource allocation procedure may be apower allocation procedure.

In certain embodiments of the disclosure, operation 330 is optionallyperformed. For example, at least one of operation 310 or operation 330may be omitted.

It will be appreciated that the first signaling may be received before,after or at substantially the same time as the second signaling. In someexamples, the second signaling and the first signaling is done through acombination of RRC signaling and MAC CE signaling. For example, a blockof slots may be signaled via RRC, and MAC CE signaling may be used toindicate, to the first network entity, information associated withtransmission (e.g., timing modes, desired DL TX power adjustment values,or DL TX power adjustment values) for at least one/some/all of the slotsin the block of slots.

It will be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosureinclude a second network entity performing the operations indicated inthe description of FIG. 3 , e.g., complementing the operations performedby the disclosed first network entity or otherwise interacting with thedisclosed first network entity.

Certain examples of the disclosure may be provided in the form of anapparatus/device/network entity configured to perform one or moredefined network functions and/or a method therefor. Such anapparatus/device/network entity may comprise one or more elements, forexample one or more of receivers, transmitters, transceivers,processors, controllers, modules, units, and the like, each elementconfigured to perform one or more corresponding processes, operationsand/or method steps for implementing the techniques described herein.For example, an operation/function of X may be performed by a moduleconfigured to perform X (or an X-module). Certain examples of thedisclosure may be provided in the form of a system (e.g., a network)comprising one or more such apparatuses/devices/network entities, and/ora method therefor. For example, in the following examples, a network mayinclude one or more IAB nodes.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram illustrating a structure of a UEaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring to 4, the UE according to an embodiment may include atransceiver 410, a memory 420, and a processor 430. The transceiver 410,the memory 420, and the processor 430 of the UE may operate according toa communication method of the UE described above. However, thecomponents of the UE are not limited thereto. For example, the UE mayinclude more or fewer components than those described above. Inaddition, the processor 430, the transceiver 410, and the memory 420 maybe implemented as a single chip. In addition, the processor 430 mayinclude at least one processor.

The transceiver 410 collectively refers to a UE receiver and a UEtransmitter, and may transmit/receive a signal to/from a base station ora network entity. The signal transmitted or received to or from the basestation or a network entity may include control information and data.The transceiver 410 may include a RF transmitter for up-converting andamplifying a frequency of a transmitted signal, and a RF receiver foramplifying low-noise and down-converting a frequency of a receivedsignal. However, this is only an example of the transceiver 410 andcomponents of the transceiver 410 are not limited to the RF transmitterand the RF receiver.

In addition, the transceiver 410 may receive and output, to theprocessor 430, a signal through a wireless channel, and transmit asignal output from the processor 430 through the wireless channel.

The memory 420 may store a program and data required for operations ofthe UE. In addition, the memory 420 may store control information ordata included in a signal obtained by the UE. The memory 420 may be astorage medium, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory(RAM), a hard disk, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), and adigital versatile disc (DVD), or a combination of storage media.

The processor 430 may control a series of processes such that the UEoperates as described above. For example, the transceiver 410 mayreceive a data signal including a control signal transmitted by the basestation or the network entity, and the processor 430 may determine aresult of receiving the control signal and the data signal transmittedby the base station or the network entity.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram illustrating a structure of a networkentity (for example, base station, IAB Node or IAB Donor) according toan embodiment of the disclosure. FIG. 5 corresponds to the example ofthe network entity of FIG. 3 .

Referring to FIG. 5 , the network entity according to an embodiment mayinclude a transceiver 510, a memory 520, and a processor 530. Thetransceiver 510, the memory 520, and the processor 530 of the networkentity may operate according to a communication method of the networkentity described above. However, the components of the network entityare not limited thereto. For example, the network entity may includemore or fewer components than those described above. In addition, theprocessor 530, the transceiver 510, and the memory 520 may beimplemented as a single chip. In addition, the processor 530 may includeat least one processor.

The transceiver 510 collectively refers to a network entity receiver anda network entity transmitter, and may transmit/receive a signal to/froma terminal or a base station. The signal transmitted or received to orfrom the terminal or a base station may include control information anddata. The transceiver 510 may include a RF transmitter for up-convertingand amplifying a frequency of a transmitted signal, and a RF receiverfor amplifying low-noise and down-converting a frequency of a receivedsignal. However, this is only an example of the transceiver 510 andcomponents of the transceiver 510 are not limited to the RF transmitterand the RF receiver.

In addition, the transceiver 510 may receive and output, to theprocessor 530, a signal through a wireless channel, and transmit asignal output from the processor 530 through the wireless channel.

The memory 520 may store a program and data required for operations ofthe network entity. In addition, the memory 520 may store controlinformation or data included in a signal obtained by the network entity.The memory 520 may be a storage medium, such as a ROM, a RAM, a harddisk, a CD-ROM, and a DVD, or a combination of storage media.

The processor 530 may control a series of processes such that thenetwork entity operates as described above. For example, the transceiver510 may receive a data signal including a control signal transmitted bythe terminal, and the processor 530 may determine a result of receivingthe control signal and the data signal transmitted by the terminal.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a first node in awireless communication system is provided. The first node including atransceiver, and at least one processor coupled to the transceiver andconfigured to receive, from a second node, an RRC message includinginformation on a list of slots, receive, from the second node, a MAC CEindicating at least one timing mode to be applied to at least one slotin the list of slots, and identify, based on the MAC CE, the at leastone timing mode corresponding to the at least one slot.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, wherein one or more slots in thelist of slots are not consecutive.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, wherein the RRC message furtherincludes information on a periodicity of the list of slots.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, wherein a size of the list of slotsis less than a size of the periodicity.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, wherein a length of a field forindicating the at least one timing mode is 2 bits.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to: transmit, to the second node, a MAC CE includinginformation on a desired DL Tx power adjustment associated with the RRCmessage, and receive, from the second node, a MAC CE includinginformation on a DL Tx power adjustment associated with the RRC message.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a second node in awireless communication system is provided. The second node including atransceiver, and at least one processor coupled to the transceiver andconfigured to transmit, to a first node, an RRC message includinginformation on a list of slots, and transmit, to the first node, a MACCE indicating at least one timing mode to be applied to at least oneslot in the list of slots, wherein the at least one timing modecorresponding to the at least one slot is identified based on the MACCE.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, wherein one or more slots in thelist of slots are not consecutive.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, wherein the RRC message furtherincludes information on a periodicity of the list of slots.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, wherein a size of the list of slotsis less than a size of the periodicity.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, wherein a length of a field forindicating the at least one timing mode is 2 bits.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to: receive, from the first node, a MAC CE includinginformation on a desired DL Tx power adjustment associated with the RRCmessage, and transmit, to the first node, a MAC CE including informationon a DL Tx power adjustment associated with the RRC message.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a method performedby a first node in a wireless communication system, the methodcomprising receiving, from a second node, an RRC message includinginformation on a list of slots, receiving, from the second node, a MACCE indicating at least one timing mode to be applied to at least oneslot in the list of slots, and identifying, based on the MAC CE, the atleast one timing mode corresponding to the at least one slot.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, wherein one or more slots in thelist of slots are not consecutive.

In one embodiment of the disclosure, wherein the RRC message furtherincludes information on a periodicity of the list of slots.

It will be appreciated that examples of the disclosure may be realizedin the form of hardware, software or a combination of hardware andsoftware. Certain examples of the disclosure may provide a computerprogram comprising instructions or code which, when executed, implementa method, system and/or apparatus in accordance with any aspect, claim,example and/or embodiment disclosed herein. Certain embodiments of thedisclosure provide a machine-readable storage storing such a program.

The same or similar components may be designated by the same or similarreference numerals, although they may be illustrated in differentdrawings.

Detailed descriptions of techniques, structures, constructions,functions or processes known in the art may be omitted for clarity andconciseness, and to avoid obscuring the subject matter of thedisclosure.

The terms and words used herein are not limited to the bibliographicalor standard meanings, but, are merely used to enable a clear andconsistent understanding of the examples disclosed herein.

Throughout the description and claims, the words “comprise”, “contain”and “include”, and variations thereof, for example “comprising”,“containing” and “including”, means “including but not limited to”, andis not intended to (and does not) exclude other features, elements,components, integers, steps, processes, functions, characteristics, andthe like.

Throughout the description and claims, language in the general form of“X for Y” (where Y is some action, process, function, activity or stepand X is some means for carrying out that action, process, function,activity or step) encompasses means X adapted, configured or arrangedspecifically, but not necessarily exclusively, to do Y.

Features, elements, components, integers, steps, processes, functions,characteristics, and the like, described in conjunction with aparticular aspect, embodiment, example or claim are to be understood tobe applicable to any other aspect, embodiment, example or claimdisclosed herein unless incompatible therewith.

While the disclosure has been shown and described with reference tovarious embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes in form and detail may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as definedby the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A first node in a wireless communication system,the first node comprising: a transceiver; and at least one processorcoupled to the transceiver and configured to: receive, from a secondnode, a radio resource control (RRC) message including information on alist of slots, receive, from the second node, a medium access control(MAC) control element (CE) indicating at least one timing mode to beapplied to at least one slot in the list of slots, and identify, basedon the MAC CE, the at least one timing mode corresponding to the atleast one slot.
 2. The first node of claim 1, wherein one or more slotsin the list of slots are not consecutive.
 3. The first node of claim 1,wherein the RRC message further includes information on a periodicity ofthe list of slots.
 4. The first node of claim 3, wherein a size of thelist of slots is less than a size of the periodicity.
 5. The first nodeof claim 1, wherein a length of a field for indicating the at least onetiming mode is 2 bits.
 6. The first node of claim 1, wherein the atleast one processor is further configured to: transmit, to the secondnode, a MAC CE including information on a desired downlink (DL) transmit(Tx) power adjustment associated with the RRC message and receive, fromthe second node, a MAC CE including information on a DL Tx poweradjustment associated with the RRC message.
 7. A second node in awireless communication system, the second node comprising: atransceiver; and at least one processor coupled to the transceiver andconfigured to: transmit, to a first node, a radio resource control (RRC)message including information on a list of slots, and transmit, to thefirst node, a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE)indicating at least one timing mode to be applied to at least one slotin the list of slots, wherein the at least one timing mode correspondingto the at least one slot is identified based on the MAC CE.
 8. Thesecond node of claim 7, wherein one or more slots in the list of slotsare not consecutive.
 9. The second node of claim 8, wherein the RRCmessage further includes information on a periodicity of the list ofslots.
 10. The second node of claim 9, wherein a size of the list ofslots is less than a size of the periodicity.
 11. The second node ofclaim 7, wherein a length of a field for indicating the at least onetiming mode is 2 bits.
 12. The second node of claim 7, wherein the atleast one processor is further configured to: receive, from the firstnode, a MAC CE including information on a desired downlink (DL) transmit(Tx) power adjustment associated with the RRC message; and transmit, tothe first node, a MAC CE including information on a DL Tx poweradjustment associated with the RRC message.
 13. A method performed by afirst node in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:receiving, from a second node, a radio resource control (RRC) messageincluding information on a list of slots; receiving, from the secondnode, a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) indicating atleast one timing mode to be applied to at least one slot in the list ofslots; and identifying, based on the MAC CE, the at least one timingmode corresponding to the at least one slot.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein one or more slots in the list of slots are not consecutive. 15.The method of claim 13, wherein the RRC message further includesinformation on a periodicity of the list of slots.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, wherein a size of the list of slots is less than a size of theperiodicity.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein a length of a field forindicating the at least one timing mode is 2 bits.
 18. The method ofclaim 13, further comprising: transmitting, to the second node, a MAC CEincluding information on a desired downlink (DL) transmit (Tx) poweradjustment associated with the RRC message, and receiving, from thesecond node, a MAC CE including information on a DL Tx power adjustmentassociated with the RRC message.